The EIU view

The president, Mahamadou Issoufou, secured a second term in the most recent elections in 2016. However, his increasingly heavy-handed rule has weakened Niger's governability. Limited government control, weak border security and stretched resources mean the influence of Islamist terrorist groups in the sub-region will pose a growing threat to political stability. Economic growth will accelerate slightly over 2019-20, supported by robust aid inflows and a recovering uranium sector.

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Uranium's price rise stalls in 2019
The stall in uranium prices, when combined with our forecast of falling oil prices, will widen Niger's fiscal deficit and reduce the funds available to diversify Niger's economy.